Pacific Region News

Assassination trial begins in Samoa

APIA, Samoa – The trial of two cabinet ministers accused of killing another minister and plotting the assassination of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has opened in the capital.

Minister of public works Luagalau Levaula Kamu was shot in the back at a political function last July 16.

The following month, Eletise Vitale, son of Women’s Affairs Minister Leafa Vitale, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to death by hanging. His death sentence has since been commuted to life imprisonment.

Leafa Vitale and Communications Minister Toi Aukuso also were arrested and charged with the murder. They have pleaded not guilty.

Armed robbers seize weapons in Solomon Islands

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Armed robbers have seized a truckload of weapons from the Auki Armory in what police fear may signal the renewal of ethnic conflict.

Last year, Guadalcanal was the scene of ongoing battles between indigenous islanders, calling themselves the Isatambu Liberation Army, and immigrants from neighboring Malaita province.

Thousands of Malaitans were driven from the capital island over the issues of land ownership and access to government jobs.

First victim of Maori cirizenship scam deported

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – The government has deported a Kiribati man, Terubea Ruben, who bought a bogus Maori citizenship certificate on the understanding it would allow him to stay in New Zealand.

Ruben paid about one thousand dollars for the citizenship certificate from the so-called Confederation of the United Tribes of Aotearoa.

It is estimated more than a thousand illegal Pacific Island immigrants bought certificates last year, despite warnings they had no legal status and would not prevent their being deported.

Kava: Passing fad

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Although there is a growing demand for kava in the international pharmaceutical market, a social anthropologist at Wells College has warned that kava may just be a passing fad.

During a talk at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Olson questioned how long Americans would continue to take kava in pill form.

Still, Olson said kava could still be grown in Pacific Island nations as a successful cash crop.

He said although the American hype is likely to subside, kava can be marketed to Pacific Islanders in the United States who still carry out traditional ceremonies associated with the drink.

PNG nurses to vote on strike

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – The Papua New Guinea Nurses Association has announced its members will vote on a nationwide strike this week to protest pay and working conditions.

Association president Susan Airo said the issues were brought to the government in 1998, but no action has been taken in almost two years.

She said nurses now have no option but to strike.

“The cost of living is very high. The buying power is very low. So our members cannot, at this stage, tolerate the government’s behavior,” she said.